Support Tigers And Other Species On The Brink Of Extinction

With world leaders meeting this fall to negotiate a plan to prevent the wild tiger's extinction, it is critical that we make sure the United States shows leadership on this issue and gives tiger conservation its full backing.

Write to your lawmakers and ask them to co-sponsor the Global Conservation Act of 2010 to help combat wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction.

Wild tigers are now on the brink of extinction. It is estimated that fewer than 3,200 now remain and, of these, only 1,000 are breeding females.

I'm writing to urge you to support S.3508/H.R. 4959, the Global Conservation Act of 2010, which would require the six federal agencies that conduct conservation programs around the world to pursue a unified strategy to stop illegal poaching, to combat wildlife trafficking operations and to reverse environmental destruction endangering the tiger population. This important legislation was introduced by Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) in the Senate and Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) in the House.

This fall, world leaders will gather in St. Petersburg for the Global Tiger Initiative Summit, where they will negotiate a plan to prevent the wild tiger's extinction. The United States' leadership on this issue is also much needed.

I strongly urge you to co-sponsor the Global Conservation Act of 2010 and make sure the United States is doing its part to help wild tigers. We don't have much time before this crisis turns into tragedy.